Carter says he is not taking U.S. contractor home from Cuba

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter squashed speculation on Tuesday that he can secure the release of American contractor Alan Gross during Carter's trip to Cuba.

“We have spoken to some officials about Mr. Gross. But I am not here to take him out of the country,” he told journalists, speaking in Spanish, when asked about the case.

Carter was visiting the Belen Convent on the second day of his three-day private visit to talk about Cuba's economic reforms and bilateral relations. He is set to meet with President Raul Castro on Tuesday evening and dissidents on Wednesday morning, and will give a press conference later Wednesday.